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The unit is for referred NHS patients who would normally be treated in the existing day surgery unit, as well as private patients, in exactly the same way as it currently functions.

The Royal College of Nursing has been highly critical of the move by Yeovil Hospital Trust to outsource day surgery to a new joint venture company with US firm Ambulatory Surgery International.

The trust has formed the company in partnership with ASI and has co-opted 60 NHS staff to the new organisation which is called Daycase UK Ltd.

How the day surgery unit will look if plans are approved

A spokesman for Yeovil Hospital said: “The establishment of Daycase UK, including the formal public procurement process, has been conducted in line with our statutory responsibilities, within our authority as a foundation trust, and with the full knowledge of the NHS regulators.

"We have also been in discussion with hospital union representatives about this matter for a number of months.

"Daycase UK is a joint-venture which is 70 per cent owned by Yeovil Hospital NHS Trust. This means it is still very much part of the hospital and the NHS family.

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"Our partners, Ambulatory Surgery International, have been formed by one of the world's best and most experienced providers of day surgery, AmSurg, and will use their expertise to complement the skills and knowledge of our staff.

"Together, we will provide local NHS patients with the latest in surgical procedures and approaches. People will be seen more quickly, treated more efficiently, and discharged more quickly and safely, with services overseen by an NHS team.”

South Somerset District Council is due to make a decision on the plans in August.